Television presenter Michael Barrymore will not be charged with perjury following an inquest into the death of a man found floating in his swimming pool.

His solicitor David Corker said Essex Police had told him they had ended their investigation into the allegation.

Mr Barrymore said during the inquest into the death of Stuart Lubbock that he could not swim but reports later claimed he lied.

He is understood to be "relieved" at the police's decision.

The cause of Mr Lubbock's death has not been established

Mr Corker said: "Essex Police told him that the force and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had ended their investigation into the allegation.

"This is a very serious allegation. If it has any substance the police would normally interview the suspect and the fact they haven't interviewed him means that it was pretty worthless from the beginning.

"Mr Barrymore is relieved at the decision of Essex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to discontinue this investigation."

Following the inquest into the death of Mr Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, Essex, Mr Barrymore's former wife Cheryl contradicted his claim that he was not able to swim.

Mr Lubbock, a 31-year-old butcher, was found floating in Mr Barrymore's pool at his luxury home in Roydon, near Harlow, Essex, in March last year.

An open verdict was recorded at the inquest.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray referred the perjury allegations to the force
following the inquest.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: "The CPS has contacted us with their decision.

"We are now trying to locate and inform all of the families involved before
making an official announcement."

A spokeswoman for the CPS said: "The CPS has passed an advice file to the
police and that advice is confidential."